Girolamo Cavalcabo

Girolamo Cavalcabo
Born	16th century Bologna, Italy
Died	17th century London, England? (?)
Relative(s)	Zachara Cavalcabo (father?)
Occupation	Fencing master
Influences	Angelo Viggiani dal Montone
Influenced	André des Bordes (?)
Genres	Fencing manual
Language	Italian Middle French Early New High German
Notable work(s)	Traité ou instruction pour tirer des armes (1597)
Manuscript(s)	MS Italien 1527 (1580s)

Girolamo Cavalcabo (Hieronyme Calvacabo, Hieronimo Cavalcabo) was a 16th century Italian fencing master. He was trained in the Bolognese school of fencing, possibly under Angelo Viggiani dal Montone, and seems to have traveled to London, England in the 1580s or 1590s and set up a school.^{[citation needed]} During this period he also wrote a treatise on the use of the rapier entitled Nobilissimo discorso intorno il schermo ("Most Noble Discourse on Defense"), though it would not be published until 1597. In the early 17th century, he received a position in the court of Henry IV of France as fencing instructor to his son Louis (the future Louis XIII).^{[citation needed]}

Treatise

Preface and Introduction

Images	Draft Translation (from the German) by Kevin Maurer	Archetype (ca. 1580s)	French Translation (1597)	German Translation (1611)
	New Artful Fencing Book Of the widely famous and much traveled Italian Fencing Master Hieronymi Cavalcabo from Bononien Here forth from the writings of which instance through Mr. de Villamont, Knight of the Order of Jerusalem, and Kingly MT, in France as Cammer Junker, has transferred into the French language. Now however, to please all Lovers of the Praisworthy Fencing arts, Germanized from the reported French language by Conrad von Einsidell Mens in consilus valet in certamine dextra
	Forward The Serene and Highborn Princes and Lords, Lord Johan Phillip, Lord Friederich, and Lord Johan Wilhelm, Princes of Saxony, Eulich, Cleve and Bergk, Counts in Dueringen, Military Governors of Meissen, Dukes of the Marck and Ravensburg, and Lords of Ravenstein, Lordly Bretheren, My Gracious Princes and Lords. Serene Highnesses, high-born princes. Gracious men, thus by God the almighty's gracious power I was born of Christian Noble parents, in this world, in which I am not ever alone, of the true fear of God, and with assiduity learned the praiseworthy studies through learned Praeceptores I was compelled by all exercising of diligent study and to all Christian and noble Youths I persistently beseech? But rather also above this a considerable opportunity was presented to me,
	Therefore, I am First and foremost, Divine Majesty, cordially grateful to them, my loving Parents, for the times of my life, Than I also should and would have an eager guilt of obediance to myself. Such in truth, their preventive expenses incurred and the joys of their noble pleasures, was my most Artful and best opportunity that Humbly speaks to my age old family, well created, and next to the true fear of God, these two pieces make a pillar, therefore. "Salus reipubl: utroqtam pacis quam belli tempore," based on the testimony of the most highly praisworthy Emperor's desire, which also adorns the Nobility and does charge, that namely Attem and Martem, to some purpose were set before me, and with great pleasure allowed. In measure I resolved myself to such ends, and through childish and improper requests, received so much from my loving father, the he granted and allowed me to make a trip to France, England, and the Netherlands, Of this I praise God for evermore, after Five quarter years, I am again happy for coming home, and upon arriving here, I've further been sent to Jena, to continue my unfinished studies.
	Because however my loving Father earnestly urged me, firstly, so that I learned the French language, then by having traveled, learned and gathered together, kept and strengthened through diligent practice. Thus I have served an analysis of my meager project, and want to give it in the language of the day, in a current fencing book, put to our own Mother Language; and these things, and much more, because the Noble and Honorable Mr. Daniel Cachedenier, my new found friend and Tischwirt, has advised me on this fencing book and is such a blessing to me. Thus it is because of the Author (Villamont) and the paraphrasing, of those yonder Italians that he was found in Italy for several years, to be among the most excellent of fencers. However, he is but a Frenchmen, who was for ten years, a disciple of the original Author (Cavalcabo), and hereafter, because of his devotion was made a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and his further experience for the Noble youth's sake, and also because of the youthful death of the King of France, his considerable service has been required, and because of the usefullness of his published fencing booklets.
	But I do not doubt it myself, there are quite a few things, Your Royal Grace such that I humbly attribute, and hope that I am not judged untimely, or arrogant, Especially, however, because I myself am still meager in these fencing Arts, due to deficiencies of age, or rather, that I have no experience. But as I thought, thus it had to me such a great occasion to give the pleasure of such a version, tam Martis qua'm Artis, and that I was but rather pleased to watch in amazement, various skilled fencers, in many foreign places, therefore with the passing time and my increasing in age, also something of them was learned, when set before me. Thus well to the cost incurred by my loving parents, towards the practice of the French language, my dutiful guilt, I would like do a good thing. However, that I have in subservience attributed, such a booklet, to Your Royal Graces, and is namely from the causes mentioned, this has happened, that the same beloved lord and father, his late Serene Highness and Highlyborn Prince and Lord, Lord Frederick William, Duke of Saxony, Electorate of Saxony, etc, highpraise and in Christs' blessed memory, my loving ancestors and parents, in such Princely graces, have been weighed.
	so that His Royal Grace from high born princes and Christian ??????, by whose heartfelt loving Bride, who is also of Serene and Highborn Princes and Ladies, Lady Anna-Maria, born Palatine by Rhein, Princess of Bavaria, Duchess of Veldenz and Spanheim, Princess of Saxony etc. Your Royal Graces, Loving Lady Mother, my gracious Princess and Lady, and also the highborn Princess and young lady, Lady Dorothea-Sophia, Princess of Saxony, etc. also my gracious Princess and Young Lady, who so mercifully and graciously bestowed, when without risk on the 10th of May, year 1597 by Personally performing the Christian works of the Holy baptism, in the name of the Lord Christ, our all Redeemer and Saviour, deliver me, and his holy Christian Churches to help incorporate. Therefore, Your Royal Graces, then as their Princely beloved for all posterity, and also my Gracious Princes and Lords, Not only do I know the times in life when to serve most subserviently as possible, but rather also this Booklet with subservience and guilty gratefulness Your Royal Graces Suberviently Conradus von Einsiedell

Rapier and Dagger

Images	Draft Translation (from the German) by Kevin Maurer	Archetype (ca. 1580s)	French Translation (1597)	German Translation (1611)
	The Four most distinguished Guards in the Rappier alone, also in rappier and dagger The first guard is, when one holds the arm higher than the shoulder, The second, when one holds their arm the same height as the shoulder The Third, when one holds this same, a little forward of the knee The Fourth, when one Holds the Dagger and Rappier to the left side.
	The CounterGuards Of the first counterguard it is the fourth, as you have just seen above,. Of the second Counterguard is even the same, as seen before. Likewise also of the third, when one steps outside of the enemies point. Of the Fourth, it is the second or third, when one springs to the side, there the enemy has his Dagger.
	To what end the Body serves? Our body is divided in two parts: Of one itself to Defend, the other to attack the enemy. The right side is for the attack, the left side to the Defense. An Instruction, how one shall judge from his opponent's guards When your opponent shows that his feet are together, thus is he willing to thrust at you; But if he holds them wide from one another, thus will he wait for yours.
	How one best should parry or take The Best parrys come with the Rappier. The Dagger serves in addition, so that it comes with help to you. When you however, parry with the Rappier, thus should this happen with the strong. When you however, parry with the dagger, thus you must take out on the weak of your opponent's rappier, when he offers up a thrust to you. A rule, thereby one can know, how one should use the Rappier correctly. The correct Rappiers' edge is that with which you can harm your opponent. the false serves to take out, namely from the strong of the rappier on to the Hilt, while one must always use an edge, namely, the half edge to offend, the other helps to defend or take out. The Four manners to try. The first attempt happens outside of the Opponents rappier The second to the side where he has his dagger. The Third, how one shows the feet together, and remains in recta linea . The Fourth is, when one sets a foot in front of the other, and with the Left always steps forth.
	What is Tempus? the tempo in Rappier, Dagger, and the movement of the feet is, that one should not soon thrust, until one has the correct Measure, of his Opponent, to step to. What is Measure, and out of the Measure? The Measure is, when one can reach to the other with a thrust. By contrast, out of the Measure is, when you cannot reach the opponent without stepping to them, with a thrust or strike. What is there to be, the Strong or Weak of the Rappiers? The strong , which is beneficial to the Defense, is that part of the rappier from the middle to the Hilt. The weak is the other part of the Rappier (from middle) to the tip.
	How you may come to know, if you are with the advantage in the Guards. The advantage of the guards is, when you hold your Rappiers' point, exactly against your adversaries' shoulder, and this same point is turned out from you. You will however, hereby pay attention, that you step towards your opponent's right side in a quarten, holding your dagger close to the Rappier. Which Guard is the best, thus it well defends you, and to your opponent, is done harm The first , second and third serve to attack, with the half or whole thrust; The fourth however, to await on the enemy.
	How one shall attack his Adversary with advantage? When you will attack your opponent, you must be expecting his after thrust, to the side with which he is closest to you, Will he attempt this however, you must be in quarte, thereafter, with the left foot passing, and thrust straight to the Face, and any well brought thrusts to you, quickly again proceed in the Secunde , therewith, when your Adversary would step to you with the right foot, so you give him a thrust, and you again can be in the quarte, with this same, you must expect his Riposte or Afterthrust, which you thereupon take out with the Rappier, and you should step with the left foot to his right side, your Dagger, contrarily against the Rappier, and in doing so, dont forget, that he in turn, thrusts in secunde. But he who will not thrust, so then you can use these reported plays. (Stuecke)
	Counter to this, thus feints or half thrusts are used You should position yourself, as if you would take him out with the dagger or rappier, with this you give him reason to caviren. Thus if he does so, you can give a thrust, with a stiff arm, and without moving the feet or passing, provided that you are in the measure. Thus You can also do to him: In which he makes to you a feint, and you have the Measure, you can give him a hard thrust to the Body, and spring to the side of his dagger thus giving him reason for the afterthrust. This you can conveniently do, to those who would attempt a feint to you, namely that you parry with your Rappier, and in other tempore you thrust, and with diligent attention you expect his Riposte. Against those who stand still, or in stricta mensura thrust. You must hold the Dagger and rappier high, so that your rappier's tip is directed at the opponent's face, and you give a little opening of your body. Thus when your opponent thrusts to you, then you should take out his thrust, under your rappier, to your right side,with your dagger and at the same time, with a withdrawal of the body, thrust to the Chest or to the Face.

Copyright and License Summary

For further information, including transcription and translation notes, see the discussion page.

Work	Author(s)	Source	License
Images
Translation	Kevin Maurer	Meyer Freifechter Guild
Archetype
French Translation
German Translation

Additional Resources

• Runacres, Rob. Treatise or Instruction for Fencing: By Hieronymus Calvacabo of Bologna and Patenostrier of Rome. Self-published, 2015.
• Text to copy over